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Chilika Lake Bird Santuary :India February 14, 2006

Located at a distance of 100 km from Bhubaneshwar, this lake covering an area of 900 sq. km, is Asia’s largest salt and fresh water lake. It attracts a large number of migratory birds, like the flamingo, teal, bar headed goose, shoveller and white - bellied sea eagle. For bird-lovers, Chilika is best visited in winter when the migratory populations wing in from places as far as Siberia.

The Chilka Lake in Orissa is Asia’s largest inland salt-water lagoon. Studded with small islands- including the picturesquely-named Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island- the lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge. The pear-shaped lake spreads across 1,100 sq km, and has a unique ecosystem with a range of aquatic flora and fauna found in and around its brackish waters. An impressive array of bird life, both native and migrant, makes Chilka one of the best places in India for a bit of satisfying bird-watching. White bellied sea eagles, greylag geese, purple moorhen, jacana, herons and flamingos are among the many species which make the lake a bird watcher’s delight: Chilka, in fact, is home to one of the world’s largest breeding colonies of flamingos.

Situated southwest of Puri, Chilka is the largest brackish water lake in Asia. It is doted with the islands and is noted for the many migratory birds which flock to the nesting sanctuary here in winter ( December to January). The shallow lake is about 70 km long and averages 15 km wide It’s separated from the sea only by a narrow sand bar. The railway line and the main road run along the inland edge of the lake. It’s a peaceful enough place but of greatest interests to ornithologists. Environment and human problems - such as siltation and commercial prawn fishing - are threatening this important wetland. The lake is spread over an area of 1100 sq km and is a good picnic spot. One can enjoy boating on the shimmering blue waters and enjoy fishing at leisure. There are about 160 variety of fish in the lake. Birds come here from as far as Siberia.

Chilika lake situated south-west of Puri a distance of 100km from Bhubaneshwar. It covers an area of 1100 sq. km. is the largest salt & fresh water lake in Asia. Chilika is also known as ‘Honeymoon Island’ and ‘Breakfast Island’. It is a good picnic spot.

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